Consensus on Food Security seems imperiled by LoC row

A consesus, which was emerging on passing the Food Security Bill after including some amendments from the opposition, now seems to threatened with BJP firm on stalling Parliament on the issue of Pakistan's involvement in the killing of five Indian soldiers.
Government today introduced the Food Security Bill in the Lok Sabha for discussion and passage but faced stiff opposition from BJP.
"Border security is more important than food security," Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said in the House.
BJP sources said though the party wanted a serious debate on the Food Security Bill and was also planning to move amendments to it, now the party will insist that the controversy created by Defence Minister A K Antony's statement on the killing of five Indian soldiers be settled first.

The main opposition is adamant that Antony apologise for saying those involved in the killing of the soldiers were persons "wearing Pakistan army uniforms". The Defence Ministry has said these men were from Pakistan army.
BJP has also said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should not hold talks with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif during his visit to the US for the UN General Assembly meet.

The stalemate continues in Parliament as External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said on behalf of the government that Antony will not apologise.
In this scenario, the opposition is not likely to allow the House to function when the Food Security Bill comes up for a discussion.

BJP has also made it clear in the last Business Advisory Committee meeting that it will not allow the government to pass any Bill when the House is not in order.
Asked about the issue, Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said the party feels the Chhattisgarh Food Security Act is the best and should serve as a model for Parliament when it debates the Food Security Bill.